Popcorn machine



- 1940. B. c. CASE POPCORN MACHINE Filed May 5, 19:59

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E5 0 W5 w I: M A a s m m, 5 M

Oct. 8, 1940. B. c. cAsE POPCORN MACHINE 7 Filed May 3, 1939 9'' .5

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 5055555 5. 75.55;

Oct. 8, 1940. r Q CASE 2,216,805

' EOPCORN MACHINE Filed May 5, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.fiufis'sss' 5. E555 W ATTORN.

Oct. 8, 1940. a. 0. CASE POPCORN MACHINE Filed May 3, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Ems-s55 CL EH55...

Patcnted Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful im-- provement in a cornpopping machine and while automatic type, there are features presentwhich may be used in any type of corn popping machine which will appearobvious as the description proceeds. The machine is of that type of cornpopping machine in which a heated grease, in which the corn to be poppedis submerged, is used for popping the corn. In this type of machine thecorn is submerged in the heated grease and retained submerged until theheat of the grease has popped the corn. Experience has shown that whenthe grease is maintained at a predetermined temperature, the corn willpop in a definite period of time and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a popping machine of this class so arranged andconstructed that after the operation of the predetermined period oftime, the corn will be elevated and dumped from the container in whichit is popped.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of thistype so arranged and constructed that upon deposit of corn in thepopping container, the container is elevated during the period of timefor heating and popping the corn.

Another object of the invention is" the provision of a mechanism wherebyupon the closing of a switch a feeding cup will be removed in a positionfor dumping a predetermined amount of corn into a popping basket, thepopping-basket will be agitated and-after a predetermined period oftime, the basket will be elevated and the popped corn dumped therefromwhile maintaining the basket in a state of agitation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism wherebyupon the closing of a switch the mechanism will be driven through apredetermined cycle of operations terminating in the. dumping of thepopcorn and the returning of the basket into corn receiving positionwhereupon the switch-will be automatically moved to a slidable closurefor moving to close position upon the traveling of the feeding cuptofeeding position and yieldable for movement to open position upon thereturn of the cup to receiving position. 5

Another object of the invention is the provision in a popping machine ofthis class of a feeding cup and a receiving basket having a covermounted thereon so arranged and constructed that the cover isautomatically opened immediately prior to the movement of the cup todumping position and is returned to closing position upon withdrawal ofthe cup from dumping position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a corn poppingmachine of this class of means for maintaining the popping liquid at apredetermined temperature and at a predetermined depth.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthisclass which will be simple in structure, economical in manufacture,durable, compact, ornamental in appearance, easily and quickly operatedand possessed of a minimum number of parts.

Other objects will-appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed. I

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the invention, takenfrom front to rear, with parts broken away,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 with partsbroken away showing a successive step in the operation of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, showinga further successive movement of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a sectionalview taken on line 66 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3,

Fig. '8 is a fragmentary view taken on line 8-4! of Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken on line 9-4 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view taken. on line |u n of Fig. 9, 55

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view taken on line II-Il of Fig. 6,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view taken on line I2-i2 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view taken on line I3I3 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view taken on line I4-I4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view taken on line I5I5 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view taken on line I8--l6 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line I'I-I1 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on line I6-I8 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line I9-I9 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2820 of Fig. 1with parts broken away,

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2I2I of Fig. 11with parts broken away,

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring used in the invention.

The invention as illustrated in the drawings embodies a cabinet havingside walls 33 and 34, a bottom 35, a front wall 36, and a top 31 inwhich perforations 38 are formed, these perforations leading intoahousing embodying an enlarged portion 39 having an opening 42 over whichthe cupshaped housing 48 is positioned. Formed centrally in the top ofthe housing 40 is an opening 43 over which is positioned a suitablefilter or screen 44. The housings 39 and 48 form a dome on the enclosingcasing through which fumes and hot air may pass outwardly so as tomaintain the mechanism enclosed within the main housing or cabinet inproper temperature for working conditions. Mounted in the cabinet is asupporting partition 45. Mounted on this partition 45 is a supportingframe 46 on which rests and to which is secured an electric motor 41driving the shaft 48 on which is formed the worm 49 meshing with theworm wheel or gear 50 which is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 5|. Thisshaft Si is journalled in bearings 52.and 53 which project upwardly fromthe frame 46. The shaft 5i carries a worm 54 which meshes with the wormwheel 55 fixedly mounted on the shaft 56, this shaft being journalled onthe plates 56' and 51, the shaft projecting through the plate 51.Fixedly mounted on the shaft 56 is a cam disc 58 carrying on its outerface the cam groove 59 which bulges outwardly as at 68, the lobe 8| alsoprojecting outwardly at this point. An arm 62 is rockably mounted on thelug 63 which projects outwardly from the member 51, this arm carryingthe stud, 64 which engages in the groove 59 so that a rocking of the arm62 is effected upon a rotation of the cam disc 58. The construction issuch that as the disc rotates the arm 62 remains stationary except whenthe lobe 6| is riding over the stud 64. As soon as the lobe has riddenover the stud 64, the stud, through the engagement in the cam groove,will effect a reverse rocking of the arm 62 back to its normal position.Thus the arm is positively rocked in both directions and the rocking ofthe same is eifected once in each direction for each revolution of thecam disc 58.

Fixedly mounted upon the shaft 56 is a cam disc 65 bulged outwardly asat 61 to provide the lobe 68. The arm I which is rockably mountedintermediate its ends on the end wall 69 of the frame (see Fig. 9) isprovided, as shown in Fig. 8, with a fork forming portion 'II' andbetween the fork of this arm is mounted on a stud II a roller whichrides the periphery of the cam disk carrying the lobe 68. Theconstruction is such that upon each revolution of the cam disk 65 thearm I8 is positively rocked in one direction against the tension of thespring 10" which serves to maintain the roller II in engagement with theperiphery of the cam disk 65. The rocking of the arm I9 is effected oncefor each revolution of the cam disk 65.

Fixedly mounted on the shaft is a cam I2 having a plurality of lobes 73spaced by the fiat faces I4. Embracing this cam I3 is a closed yoke oran eccentric strap I5 having a pair of bosses I6 against which the lobesmay strike. The bosses are shown positioned opposite each other. This isthe location of .the bosses so long as none of the lobes I3 are indiametrical alignment. Should the lobes I3 be in diametrical alignment,then the bosses would have to be oiiset from the positions in Fig. 10.Projecting upwardly from the closed yoke i5 is an arm 11. Theconstruction is such that upon rotation of the shaft 5| the yoke I5 willbe thrust first to the one side and then to the other so as to effect arocking of the arm II. A spring 39 is connected at one end to the arm'I'I adjacent its upper end and at the opposite end this spring I9 isconnected to the shelf of the motor 31 so as to normally resist rockingof the arm I? in one direction. Secured to and projecting outwardly fromthe upper end of the arm I33. The upper ends of these yoke arms connecttwo arms 84 and 85 respectively which are secured to the sides of andproject outwardly from a popping basket 86 having a screened bottom anda swingable front wall 88. The construction is such that as the shaft 5|rotates and the arm 11 is oscillated the yoke having the arms 82 and 83will be oscillated in unison with the arm 'I'I so that the basket 86 isreciprocated, this motion being a slightly jiggling motion so thatpopcorn positioned in the basket is shaken sufliciently to keep itmoving and agitated.

Supported by the plate 89 and the bracket 90 is a container 9Ipositioned in the bottom of which is an electric heating element 92.Nesting in the container 9i is a receptacle 93 communicating with'whichis a pipe or conduit 94 leading from a float chamber 95 which is incommunication by means of the pipe 96 through the valve 91 with areservoir 98 in which butter or any suitable grease may be positioned.This butter or grease when melted will fiow into the receptacle 93 andmaintain the level thereof at a predetermined height depending upon theadjustment of the float operated valve which is contained in the fioatchamber 95. Positioned in the receptacle .93 so as to be submerged inthe grease contained therein is a thermostatic control 99 controllingthe circuit to the electric heating element 92. This thermostat 33 isset toclose and open the switch to the heating element at predetermineddegrees of temperature so that the grease in the receptacle 93 is alwaysmaintained at a temperature within a predetermined range.

Pivotally connected at one of its ends to the arm 62 is a bar It", theupper end of which is connected to a plate I02 and to a plate I83. Theplate I83 carries the spaced arms I04 between which is a pivotallymounted feeding cup I05. Projecting outwardly from the plate I03 is anarm I08 adapted to engage the upwardly engaging tongue I01 extendingoutwardly from a swingable. cover I08 on the top of the basket 86. Arearwardly extending portion I08 is carried by the plate I02 adapted toengage a downwardly extendingplate I I0 on the slidable closure plate II I. This plate III islslidably mounted between guides H2 and IIImounted on the bottom Ill of the hopper I I5 which is provided with asuitable movable cover H8 and into which popcorn may be placed. Formedin the bottom I I4 is an outlet or feed opening III through which cornmay flow from the hopper II5. Projecting downwardly from the rear end01' the plate III are lugs I I8 to each of which is secured one end of aspring II8,

the other end of which is'secured to the guide.

- around which the flange I20 extends. This notch is struck onsubstantially the same radius as the cylindrical feeding cup I05 so thatthe cup may engage in this notch when moved to filling position.

As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the arm or bar IN is connected to therockable arm 82 by" means of the braceI22 so that a swinging of the barIOI relatively to the arm 82 is prevented. This arm or bar IOI isconnected by the spring I28 tothe stationary plate 51 and thespring I28is normally under tension tending to rock the arm IN to the right ot thedrawings shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. When the feeding cup I05 is in theposition shown in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 14 the corn will pass from thehopper II5 into and fill the cup I05 and when the cup is in suchposition the plate I.

will be pushed to a position to uncover the opening I", this movementbeing against the tension of the springs II8.

The construction is such that as the cam disc 58 is rotatedcounter-clockwise in the view shown in Fig. 3 the lobe 8| oi the camriding over they stud 84 will rock the arm or beam 62 downwardly at itsstud bearing end and move the bar IM to the right of the drawings. Asthe cup I05 moves outwardly from beneath the opening I" the slide plateIII which serves as a closure for the opening II I will follow the cupin response to the. pull of the springs H8 and serve to close theopening I". As this movement continues and the cup I05 clears the bottomoi the hopper II5 the plate III will be in closing position to preventdropping of corn from the hopper II5. As this movement continues themember I08 which acts as a pusher bar will engage at up- .wardly turnedtongue I01 carried by the lid I08 and lift this-lid to open position asshown in Fig. 4. As the lid moves to open position the cup I05 will becarried over the opening which the opened lid has exposed and as thiscup arrives at the proper position over the opening, the lower portionthereof will be engaged by the dump bar I24 which is attached to andprojects outwardly from the popping basket 86. As the movement of thecup continues after engagement with the dump bar. I24 the cup will betilted as shown in Fig. 4, to spill its contents through the opening inthe top of the basket 86. When the cam lobe 8i has ridden over the stud64 the bar IOI will begin its rocking movement in the reverse directionto bring the cup I05 back to its filling poinclined bottom I25 and isprovided at one side with a weight I28 which serves as a counterbalanceso that when the cup has emptied of its contents and the bar IN is movedso that the cup is out of disengagement with the member I24 the bottomof the cup will swing downwardly and slide beyond the center on accountof the presence of the,counter-balance or weight I28- Thus in the returnmovement the lip of the cup is tilted downwardly at the side facing thehopper so that this downwardly tilted lip will move in under the edge ofthe hopper bottom I. It will be noted that when the plate'III moves toclosing position it does not project at the rearward side of the notchI2I beyond the edge of the bottom Ill. Thus the opening II! is notentirely closed as it is a small crack or space left uncovered.Experience has shown that were this plate III to project clear acrossthe opening III some of the kernels of corn would be caught between theedges of the opening and the forward edge of the plate which would causean insuflicient operation of the device of the crushing or thesekernels. With the present construction such projecting kernels aremerely held by the plate so that as .the cup returns to its position thedownward tilt of the approaching lip of the cup causes this lip to slipin under such projecting kernels as may be present. As the returnmovement continues and the cup engages against the flange I20 the cupmoves to vertical or upright position and continues its movement to thefilling position. Thus it is seen that there is a cycle of operationinvolving the movement of the cup to dumping position in which movementthe lid of the popping basket is opened automatically, the dumping ofthe corn of the cup effected and the cup returned to its originalposition to again be filled allowing the popping basket to fall downwardinto closing position.

This, of course, is efiected when the motor 41 is set into operation.Thus .a fcharge of corn is delivered to the popping basket and thegrease in the popping basket is of suflicient depth to cover this chargeoi corn.

The cam discs are all rotated to proper positions to properly time thesequence of operations. When the bar IOI has moved in its returnmovement to a position so that the cup I05 has disengaged from themember I24 and the lid has dropped into closure position, the lobes oi.the cam I2 will begin engagement against the bosses I8 so that a backand forth shaking of the basket will be efiected through a rocking oithe arm I9 as shown in Fig. '1. There is sufilcient clearance betweenthe basket 86 and the receptacle 88 to percorn has beendeposited in thebasket, the back and forth movement of the basket will continue.

-When the cam disc 65 has rotated to the position where the lobe 88rides over the stud II the charge of corn will have been in the basket apredetermined period of time sufllciently long to permit the hot greaseto have popped the corn. As the cam lobe 68 begins to ride over the studII, the rockable arm 10 will be rocked downwardly at its outer end so asto draw downwardly on the rod I3I. The upper end of this rod ispivotally connected to the outer end of the handle 82' so that thebasket is tilted upwardly on the -end of the link 82 as a pivot, theback and forth movement continuing. As the basket moves upwardly so thatthe spring I29 clears the upper edge of the wall I30, the end wall 88will fall open permitting the discharge of the popped corn from thebasket. It will be noted that the bottom 81 of the basket is upwardlyoffset as at I32 to provide a ledge which serves to prevent dripping ofthe grease outwardly from the basket. The end wall 88 is pivotedslightly above the bottom of the basket so that when it falls open itdoes not lie in alignment with the oflset portion of the bottom but ispositioned slightly above it so that no grease from this offset portioncan flow outwardly over the upper surface of the gate forming wall 88.The jiggling of the basket serves to jar loose any of the kernels ofcorn whether popped or unpopped which may have a tendency to cling tothebottom. The corn is discharged from the basket into a chute I33 whichterminates in the circular portion I34 of such a di-' ameter that theopen end of a sack may be slipped over the end thereof, the sack restingupon the ledge I35.

In the invention I have illustrated a coin control embodying a slidableplate I36 having an opening I31 in which the coin may be deposited. Thisplate I36 slides in a guide sleeve I38 mounted on the front wall of thecabinet. The plate I36 is normally held in outwardly projecting positionby means of a spring I39, one end of which is attached to the wall I40of the cabinet and the other end of which is attached to the upwardlyturned end I of the plate I36. The sleeve I38 projects outwardly fromthe block I42 and projecting inwardly therefrom is a plate I43 having anopening I44 formed therein beneath which is positioned a coin receivingreceptacle I45. Projecting upwardly from this guide plate I43 is a lugI46 on which is pivoted a dog I41 so arranged that when inward thrust isdelivered to the plate I36 the dog I41 will engage in the opening I31and prevent inward movement ofthe plate I36. When a coin I48 is placedin the opening I31 the opening I31 will be filled so that the dog I41cannot prevent inward movement of the plate I36. Projecting upwardlyfrom the plate I36, as shown in Fig. 11, is a cam plate I49 having anotch I50 formed in its upper edge. Rockably mounted by means of thescrew I5I on the vertically directed plate I52 is a beam I53 adapted toengage at its rear or inner end with a switch operating stud I54 adaptedwhen pressed inwardly upon the upward tilting of the rear end of thebeam I53 to move the switch I55 to open position to open the circuit tothe motor 41. The plate I52 is provided with the angularly turnedportion I56 which is welded to the bracket I51 on the chute wall I58.Projecting laterally and downwardly from the beam I53 is a plate I59against which the plate I49 is adapted to engage when 'the plate I56 isshoved inwardly. As the curved surface of the plate I49 rides under theplate I59 the beam I53 at its forward end is rocked upwardly so that thestud I54 is permitted to move outwardly and close the switch I55. I50the plate I36 is held in its inwardly pushed position against thetension of the spring I39 so that the circuit to the motor is maintainedclosed. When the motor is set into operation the When the plate I59engages in the notch.

cams are rotated and the first cycle of operation is the movement of thefeeding cup I05 into feeding position and backwardly therefrom intoreceiving position. At the same time, through the action of the cam 12,the reciprocation of the basket 86 is effected. When the cam reaches apredetermined position, the arm 10 is rocked so that the basket ismoved'to tilted or discharging position shown in Fig. 5. Pivoted on theend of the arm 85 which projects outwardly from one side of the basket86 (see Fig. 6) is a depending arm I60, the upper portion of which I6Iis angularly turned relatively to the main body of the arm I60 toprovide the cam shoulder I62 (see Fig. 11). As shown in Fig. 19 a plateI63 is mounted fixedly on the arm or bar I60 having a forward extensionI64 provided at its. lower edge with the angularly turned abutmentflange I65. Pivotally mounted on the forward end of this projection I64is a pall I66, the flange I85 serving as an abutment for preventing thepall from tilting downwardly beyond a predetermined distance. Mounted onthe arm or bar I 60 is an L-shaped guide member I 61 which forms withthe bar or arm I 60 a yoke embracing the forward end of the beam I63 asshown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. The plate I52 is provided at its forwardend with a curved surface I68 which continues as the front edge of thedepending leg I69 as shown in Fig. 19. Against this curved edge a camforming heel I10 formed on the plate I63 is adapted to engage. As shownbeam I53 is pivoted closely enough toward its rear end that the weightof the beam itself when permitted to rock will force the stud I54, whichis normally pressed outwardly by a suitable spring, inwardly into switchopening position. When the coin is deposited in the machine and theplate I36 moved inwardly, the forward end of the beam I53 will rockupwardly and the outwardly projecting portion of the member I61 willengage in the notch I12 formed in the upper edge of the beam. As thebasket tilts to discharging position the forward end of the arm 85 willtilt downwardly forcing the bar or arm I60 to travel downwardly. Aspring I13 which is attached at one end to the lower end of the arm orbar I60 at its opposite end to a stationary part of the machine willserve to maintain'the heel I10 in engagement with the surface I68. Inthis downward movement the pall I66 will be carried downwardly so as tobe positioned below the nose I6 I. When the basket has discharged itscontents the cam will return it to its normal position which is theposition shown in Fig. 2. In this movement back to its normal positionthe arm 85 will rock upwardly at its forward end drawing the bar or armI60 upwardly. The pall engaging the under surface of the nose I1I willrock the beam I53 at its forward end farther upwardly, thus disengagingthe plate I59 from the notch I50 in the plate I49 and permitting thecoin receiving plate I36 to snap outwardly in response to the tension ofthe spring I 39 as the upward movement of the forward end of the arm 85continues the heel I10 ri'ding over the curved or cam surface I68 andthe plate I52 will swing the arm or bar I60 on its pivot I14 so that thethe front wall of the cabinet.

pail I66 is moved forwardly sufilcient to disengage with thenose III.This engagement comes as the movement of the various parts reaches theirfinal position so that the beam I53 is released at its forward end fordownward rocking which forces the stud I54 inwardly into switch closingposition. There is thus provided a means for assuring the operation ofthedevice through a com-v above the bottom I18 so that there will alwaysbe maintained around the heater I15 a quantity of grease, butter, or thelike so that a burning.

out of the heater I15 will be prevented. This liquefled butter orgrease, as previously mentioned, will flow through the valve 91 and thepipe 96 into float valve chamber 95, from which it is delivered by thepipe 94 into the receptacle 9|.

The upper portion of the front wall of the cabinet is enclosed by aglass panel I79 so that the operation of the mechanism is visible to theoperator. An electric fluorescent light tube I80 is mounted within thecabinet adjacent the forward end thereof and this light is controlled bya manually operable switch I8I, achoke coil I82 being interposed in thecircuit leading to the light tube I88.

' As shown in Fig. 1,- there is a cavity I83 in which maybe positioned asalt cellar or the like. A container I84 is provided for sacks I85 whichare pressed at follower I 86 and the springs I81 upwardly to thereceiving opening I88 formed in These sacks are of the proper size anddimension to contain the grease receptacle in proper quantities tomaintain the level of the grease in the heated greas receptaclesubstantially constant.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details ofstructure shown but desire to avail myself of such variations andmodifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a corn popping machine of the classdescribed: a liquid receptaclefor the reception of liquid; a popping basket having perforationstherein adapted for seating in said receptacle with the bottom thereofbelow the level of liquid in said receptacle for permitting submergencein said liquid of unpopped corn delivered to said basket; means forelevating said basket and discharging popped corn therefrom; and meansfor jiggling said basket while seated in said receptacle and while thepopped corn is being discharged from said basket.

2. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacle forthe reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in saidreceptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of saidreceptacle said basket upon movement into said receptacle having thebottom thereof positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacleand adapted for moving out of said receptacle for discharging poppedcorn contained therein; means for depositing unpopped corn in saidbasket when moved into said receptacle; means for jiggling said basketwhile in said receptacle and while moving out of said receptacle andwhile discharging popped corn contained therein; a cam mechanism foroperating said depositing means; a cam mechanism for operating saidjiggling means; means for moving said basket into said receptacle andout of said receptacle; a cam mechanism for operating said moving means;and a motor driven mechanism for actuating said cams in a predeterminedcycle of operation.

3. Ina corn popping machine of the class described? a receptacle adaptedfor the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in saidreceptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of saidreceptacle and adapted whenmoved into said receptacle for having itsbottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, andadapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corncontained therein; means for mbving said basket into and out of saidreceptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpoppedcorn in said basket'while the same is in said receptacle; means i forjiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving todischarging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam foroperating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositingmeans, said cams being ini-- tially operative simultaneously; and a camfor operating said. moving means for moving said basket out of saidreceptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period oftime after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling meansbeing operative during said predetermined period of time and during themovement of said basket out of said receptacle'into dischargingposition.

4. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacleadapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid insaid receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out ofsaid receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for havingits bottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, andadapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corncontained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of saidreceptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpoppedcorn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle; means forjiggling said basket while in said receptacle and While moving todischarging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam foroperating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositingmeans, said cams being initially operative simultaneously; a cam foroperating said moving means for moving said basket out of saidreceptacle and into discharging position, at a predetermined period oftime after the operation of said depositing means,

said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period oftime and during the movement of said basket out of said receptacle intodischarging position; and power-driven means for operating said cams insaid sequence.

5. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacleadapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid insaid receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out ofsaid receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for havingits bottom positioned belowthe level of liquid in said receptacle, andadapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corncontained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of saidreceptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpoppedcorn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle; means forjiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving todischarging position and. discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam foroperating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositingmeans, said cams beingv initially operative simultaneously; a cam foroperating said moving means for moving said basket out of saidreceptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period oftime after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling meansbeing operative during said predetermined period of time and during themovement 'of said basket out of said receptacle into dischargingposition; power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence;and means for maintaining the heat of said liquid in said receptacle atsubstantially a predetermined temperature.

6. In'a. corn popping machine of the class described; a receptacleadapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquidin'said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out ofsaid receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for havingits bottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, andadapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corncontained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of saidreceptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpoppedcorn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle;

means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while movingto discharging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a camforoperating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositingmeans, said cams being initially operative simultaneously; a cam foroperating said moving means for moving said basket out of saidreceptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period oftime after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling meansbeing operative during said predetermined period of time and during themovement of said basket out of said receptacle into dischargingposition; power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence;means for maintaining the heat of said liquid in said receppositionedbelow the level of liquid is said receptacle, and adapted, upon movingout of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein;means for moving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means fordepositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basketwhile the same is in 'said receptacle; means for jiggling said basketwhile in said receptacle and while moving to discharging position anddischarging popped corn therefrom; a cam for operating said jigglingmeans; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams beinginitially operative simultaneously; a cam for operating said movingmeans for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into dischargingposition at a predetermined period of time after the operation of saiddepositing means, said jiggling means being operative during saidpredetermined period of time and during the movement of said basket outof said receptacle into discharging position; power-driven means foroperating said cams in said sequence; means for maintaining the heat ofsaid liquid in said receptacle at substantially a predeterminedtemperature; means for delivering liquid into said receptacle; means formaintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in said receptacle;and means for preheating said liquid prior to its delivery into saidreceptacle.

8. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacleadapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated popping ,basketmovable into said receptacle, with its bottom below the normal level ofliquid therein, and movable out of said receptacle for dischargingpopped corn therefrom; means for depositing a quantity of unpopped cornin said basket; means for jiggling said basket; means for moving saidbasket out of said receptacle into discharging position and retainingsaid basket in discharging position for a predetermined period of timeand then returning said basket to said receptacle; an electric motor; aswitch for controlling said motor, said motor being operable while saidswitch is closed; a cam mechanism operated by said motor for operatingsaid depositing means immediately upon the operation of said motor; acam mechanism for continuously operating said jiggling means during theoperation of said motor; a cam mechanism for operating said moving meansat a predetermined time subsequent to the operation of said depositingmeans; manually operable means for closing said switch; and meansoperable. upon the return of said basket to said receptacle from saiddischarging position for opening said switch.

9. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacleadapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated basket movable intosaid receptacle with its bottom below the normal level of liquid thereinand movable out of said receptacle for discharging popped corntherefrom; means for depositing a quantity of unpopped corn'in saidbasket; means for jiggling said basket; means for moving said basket outof said receptacle into discharging position and retaining said basketin discharging position for a predetermined period of time and thenreturning said basket to said receptacle; an electric motor; a switchfor controlling said motor; a cam mechanism for operating saiddepositing means immediately upon the operation of said motor; a cammechanism for operating said jiggling means during the operation of saidmotor; a cam mechanism for operating said moving means at apredetermined time subsequent to the operation of said depositing means;manually operable means for closing said switch; and means operable uponthe return of said basket to said receptacle from said dischargingposition for opening said switch; and means for retaining said switch inclosed position subsequent, to the closure thereof until the return ofsaid basket into said receptacle from discharging position.

10. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a basket adaptedfor the reception of unpopped corn; a container for containing unpoppedcom; a receptacle adapted for receiving from'said container apredetermined amount of unpopped com; a lid on said basket; means formoving said receptacle from corn receiving position to a position fordepositing the same in said basket; means for raising said lid uponmovement of said receptacle to depositing position; means for tiltingsaid receptacle for discharging the contents thereof into said basketsubsequent to the raising of said lid; and means for returning saidreceptacle to corn receivingposition.

11. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a basket adaptedfor. the reception of unpopped com; a container for containing unpoppedtainer adapted for closing said container upon movement 01 saidreceptacle to corn depositing position; and means for moving saidclosure to open position upon return of said receptacle to cornreceiving position.

12. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquidreceptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated poppingbasket movableginto said receptacle, with its bottom below the normallevel of liquid therein, and movable out of said receptacle fordischarging popped corn therefrom; means for moving said basket out ofsaid receptacle into discharging position v and returning said basket tosaid receptacle; an

electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor; means operable at apredetermined time after the starting of said motor for operating saidmoving means; manually operable means for closing said switch; and meansoperable upon the return of said basket to said receptacle from saiddischarging position for opening said switch.

13. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquidreceptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; -a perforated poppingbasket movable into said receptacle, with its bottom below normal levelof liquid therein, and moving out of said receptacle for dischargingpopped corn therefrom; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle;an electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor; manuallyoperable means for of said basket to said receptacle from saiddischarging position for releasing said releasing means; and means formoving said switch to open position upon the release of said releasingmeans.

BURGESS c. CASE.

